After last weeks post we were asked how much importance does one’s social media presence have on the process? Our response: A lot! To assume it’s any less than that is risky.

How much influence one’s social media presence on an applicants chances is up for debate. I’ve done quite a bit of research in an attempt to get a firm grasp on this question. The results are all over the board. Credible research (keep in mind, having an earned doctorate, I am allegedly skilled in research design and practice) has presented results suggesting anywhere from 20% to 85% of colleges and universities admit doing some level of checking applicants social media accounts. This can be anything from a college recruiter checking Snapchat or Instagram to institutions who pay outside firms to go data mining about their applicant class. Full disclosure, I don’t exactly know what “data mining” is but it does seem similar to what Darth Vader would do when he would probe the mind of an adversary. 

Additionally, Kaplan, a prominent educational services company did their own research and found that approximately 42% of college and university admissions officers reported that students will actually request that these officers look at their social media sites. Interestingly, the same study found 35% of recruiters indicating that when they check a student’s online presence they found information that negatively impacted their view of the student. Ouch!

Check out this week’s Facebook Live event to learn more:

Having a website is a good way to show your entire personal brand in one location and in a way that is unique to you. It’s a way to show you are an original thinker and can express yourself articulately. Having your own URL (it’s best if it’s just “yourname.com”) and website is a quick way for a college recruiter to learn about you.

Plus, having a website with the proper URL improves your SEO (Search Engine Optimization), so recruiters will find you and see what you want them to when they Google you.

Jeff’s take: This is excellent advice if you actually like building your own website; have the skills, tools, story, and imagination to make it interesting; and have the discipline to keep it up-to-date. Short of all of these things, don’t have your own website.

You should be writing and doing videos about the areas you are interested in. There is no better way to show a college you are articulate, passionate and knowledgeable. If you haven’t written articles yet, take some of your better school work and use that. Creating a video of something you are passionate about shows your communication skills, and both blogs and videos are searchable (improved SEO). These also have the added benefit of being tools or added material you can send when a particular subject comes up.

Jeff’s take: Reading this, the first thing that comes to mind is the quote by Albert Ellis: “ Don’t should on yourself.”   For many of us it’s much more realistic than creating your own website, but don’t do it because you “should,” do it because you have something that you truly want to write and do videos about. If it’s authentic, it definitely can help. If you’re doing it to check off a box, that’s how it will come across to the admissions reps who read your application.

Your social handles and email address should match your name as close as you can. Open a Gmail account for applications if you don’t have one. Aol.com and the other oldie domains scream to the college admissions officer that you aren’t tech savvy and aren’t with the times. Be professional — no cutiepie1234 or RedSoxSuck handles.

Jeff’s take: If you can’t get these things right, call me

No politics posting in public places. In today’s highly charged environment, one post that says “Make America Great Again” could mean rejection if your application reviewer is a Democrat. If you need to post about politics, do it in a private or closed group.

Jeff’s take: This is a no brainer! ABSOLUTELY NO POLITICS! Unless…you actually have something to highlight that fits the mantra of maintaining an affirmative social media presence. We had a client last year who spent several months as a volunteer working on a political campaign. The experience was integral to his interests and his posts were authentic and constructive. For him, it worked.

This is a big one. Follow the schools you are applying to on all their social platforms in order to stay informed, not just about events relevant to your application, but also to ensure you are up to date for any in-person interview.

Jeff’s take: Great advice. It’s the same as my advice

There is no doubt that social media, when used the wrong way, can negatively impact a college application. But, it’s equally apparent that proper use of social media — building a powerful personal brand through your online presence — can significantly increase the chances of being accepted. That’s why more and more students are using social media technique to supplement their traditional applications.

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